Legendary manga artist and filmmaker Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of the seminal cyberpunk masterpiece Akira, has announced the founding of a new feature animation studio called OVAL GEAR, based in Tokyo. The studio's first title is already in production.
The announcement was made on May 11 via the studio's official website and social media channels. Otomo, 72, stated that the studio was established with two core purposes: to pass on his decades of filmmaking expertise to a new generation of creators, and to produce new animated works for global release.
"The studio was founded for two purposes: to pass on to the new generation the filmmaking methods and authorial sensibility Katsuhiro Otomo has cultivated over decades, and to produce new animated works for global release." — OVAL GEAR official statement
Studio Mission and First Project
OVAL GEAR is currently hiring animators and production staff, signaling active development of its inaugural title. The studio's logo bears a striking resemblance to concept art previously unveiled for Otomo's long-anticipated film Orbital Era, which he first announced at Anime Expo 2019 in collaboration with Sunrise. However, there has been no official confirmation linking the first project to Orbital Era.
Otomo's Storied Career
Otomo began his career as a manga creator, producing acclaimed works including Domu, which won the Seiun Award, and Kibun wa mo Senso. His most famous work, Akira (1982–1990), revolutionized manga and anime worldwide. He directed the feature film adaptation of Akira (1988), which remains a landmark of animated cinema, and the steampunk epic Steamboy (2004).
Orbital Era — What We Know
Otomo announced Orbital Era in 2019 as his third feature film. The space science-fiction story follows the coming of age of youths on a space colony over four seasons. Otomo is credited for original work, design works, screenplay, and direction.
Sources: Anime News Network | Crunchyroll News